2024 Paris Olympics: Indian men's hockey team wins bronze medal
The Indian men's hockey team has won the bronze medal at 2024 Paris Olympics after defeating Spain 2-1. It was a heroic show from Harmanpreet Singh's men against the Spaniards at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium. India came from behind to win the contest. Skipper Harmanpreet scored both goals for India. Earlier, Marc Miralles handed Spain a 1-0 lead. Here are further details.
Nothing to separate the two sides in the 1st quarter
After a quiet first five minutes, India's Sukhjeet Singh got the first big chance. However, his shot saw the ball wide off the post. Gurjant Singh got another chance thereafter but he smashied the ball at Spanish goalkeeper Luiz Calzado. Gurjant survived an injury scare after going down. Harmanpreet's shot saw the ball hit his head. He was back to the pitch shortly thereafter.
Spain take the lead through Miralles
Spain took the lead after Manpreet Singh committed a bad foul in the circle and gave away a penalty stroke. Spain captain Miralles stepped up and beat Indian keeper PR Sreejesh. Spain won successive penalty corners but Amit Rohidas stood tall. After India missed a glorious chance, Spain drew Sreejesh to make a save before hitting the post through Borja Lacelle.
Harmanpreet denied by defender Rodriguez but scores shortly thereafter
India earned a penalty corner right after Sreejesh saved one. However, Ignacio Rodriguez denied Harmanpreet's shot at the far post. Rodriguez managed to turn the powerful shot behind. India earned another penalty corner after Manpreet's shot saw the ball hit Pepe Cunill. Harmanpreet equalized thereafter.
Harmanpreet makes it 2-1 for India
At the start of the 3rd quarter, India took a 2-1 lead via Harmanpreet after a penalty corner was awarded. Spain won a penalty corner right away but the experienced Rohidas was alert and blocked Miralles' drag flick at point blank range. India's Abhishek was then shown a green card after blocking Spain's free hit. Meanwhile, Jordi Bonastre was taken off after getting injured.
Calzado keeps Spain in the contest
In the dying stages Spain's goalkeeper Luiz Calzado denied Harmanpreet and India a third goal. Harmanpreet's powerful shot from a penalty corner saw the ball go toward Calzado's right and the Spanish keeper dived down to turn the ball away with his stick.
What happened in the fourth quarter?
Manpreet gave away a penalty corner as he tackled the ball to Hardik Singh's foot inside the Indian circle. However, Marc Recasens fired his drag flick well wide of the goal. Sukhjeet had an opportunity thereafter but scuffed his shot wide. India then saw Hardik suffer an injury after being taken out by a Spanish defender. India held on desperately to prevail thereafter.
India vs Spain: A look at the head-to-head record
It was the 11th meeting between the two teams at the Olympics. The Indian side has won 8 matches with Spain winning one. Two matches have been drawn. In other major tournaments (Hockey World Cup, Champions Trophy and Hockey Pro League), the H2H record reads - Matches 17, India (6 wins), Spain (8 wins) and Draws (3).
India finished second in Pool B
India overcame New Zealand 3-2 before playing out a 1-1 draw against Argentina. Thereafter, a 2-0 win over Ireland followed suit. India were beaten by Belgium next in a 2-1 affair. India went on to stun Australia 3-2 in their final Pool B encounter. The win saw India finish second behind Belgium. After five matches, India finished with 10 points (W3 D1 L1).
India beat GB before losing to Germany in semis
In the quarter-finals, it was a heroic show from Harmanpreet's men against Great Britain at the Yves-du-Manoir Stadium. India played with 10 men for most part of the match after Amit Rohidas was sent off for a bad challenge. The match ended 1-1 before India won the shootout. India were beaten by Germany 3-2 next in the semis. Marko Miltkau scored 54th-minute winner.
This Indian team should be lauded
This Indian team has been one of the best sides in Paris. Wins against top teams like Australia and Great Britain showed a lot of character where the team didn't budge under pressure. Even in defeats against superior sides like Belgium and Germany, Harmanpreet's side put up a lot of fight, only to lose by a whisker. India would be pleased with their showing.
13 Olympic medals for India in hockey
The Indian hockey team has won eight gold medals (1928, 1932, 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1964, 1980). Apart from eight golds, the team has won one silver medal in 1960 and 4 bronze medals (1968, 1972, 2020 and 2024).
Consecutive Olympic Games medals for first time since 1972
The India men's hockey team has won consecutive Olympic Games medals for first time since 1972. The previous instance of the men's team winning successive medals in consecutive Olympic events was in 1968 and 1972. India won the bronze medal on both occassions.
Sreejesh signs off with another bronze medal
Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh has signed off after a remarkable career. He made some crucial saves at the death to deny Spain an equalizer. Sreejesh was solid throughout the campaign and made the difference as well in the quarters clash against Great Britain. He is a two-time bronze medalist at the Olympics and also led India to the quarter-finals in Rio de Janiero 2016.
India's 4th medal in 2024 Paris
This was India's fourth medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Before this, India won three bronze medals in shooting. Notably, wrestler Vinesh Phogat too assured herself a medal by reaching the final, but she ended up being disqualified, weighing 100 grams more (50kg category).
